Abbeylara see off Colmcille after extra time to secure Longford SFC title

CHAMPIONS: Abbeylara joint captain Robbie Smyth scored 1-4 as his side won the Longford SFC for the third time ever following an extra-time win over Colmcille. Smyth was sent off near the end of extra-time for a second yellow card.

Longford SFC final: Abbeylara 2-10 Colmcille 1-07 (After-extra time)

Abbeylara joint captain Robbie Smyth scored 1-4 as his side won the Longford SFC for the third time ever following an extra-time win over Colmcille. Smyth was sent off near the end of extra-time for a second yellow card.

Both defences were on top in the opening 10 minutes. Colmcille captain Barry McKeon got the first score of the game in the ninth minute. Points from McKeon and a Jack Macken free gave Colmcille a three point lead after 12 minutes.

Robbie Smyth scorede Abbeylara’s first point in the 14th minute. It was a one point game two minutes later when Jason Kelly fired over a point.

Underfoot weather conditions worsened as the game went on. Ruairi Harkin got a point for Colmcille in the 27th minute; their first in 15 minutes. Smyth replied with a great point for Abbey. Cathal Reilly fired over a neat score to give Colmcille a two point lead going in at the break - 0-5 to 0-3.

Abbey were level in the 33rd with points from Caolan Lynch and Ciaran Scanlon (free).

The wind began to swirl and Colmcille kicked a number of wides before a second Macken point edged them in front in the 42nd minute. The sides were level again minutes later but in the 47th minute Colmcille got a goal through Fergal Sheridan.

Abbey’s response was terrific with Smyth firing a powerful shot to the net; the sides were level for the third time. A pointed free from Smtyh gave Abbey the lead for the first time in the 55th minute. There was time for drama when in the second minute of stoppage time goalkeeper Noel Farrell drew the game for Colmcille and brought the game to extra-time.

Abbey went two points ahead in the 67th minute with points from Colm P Smyth and Robbie Smyth. Colm P Smyth got up in the 72nd minute to put three between the sides.

Substitute Reece Reilly sealed the win with a goal right at the end.

Scorers for Abbeylara: R Smyth 1-4 (2f), R Reilly 1-0, CP Smyth, J Kelly 0-2 each, C Scanlon (f), C Lynch 0-1 each.

Scorers for Colmcille: F Sheridan 1-0, B McKeon, J Macken (f) 0-2 each, N Farrell, R Harkin, C Reilly 0-1 each 

ABBEYLARA: G Kelly; M McHugh, PJ Masterson, R Brady; C Brady, B Masterson, C P. Smyth; F Battrim, C Scanlon; C Gilna (C Berry 45 (Gilligan 70)), J Kelly (R Reilly 60), C Lynch; R Smyth, C Gilligan, (S Mahon 53) P Berry (N Rabbitt ht).

COLMCILLE: N Farrell; G Mulligan (Philip McKeon 57), E Macken, C Grant; R Harkin (S McKeon 57), D Reilly, M Mulligan; V Hourican, F Sheridan; D McCabe (P McKeon 71), J Macken, C McCabe (S Farley 70); C Reilly, P McKeon (E Hawkins 46), B McKeon (Harkin 76).

Referee: John Cullen (Mostrim)